Antiguo palacete del marqués de Rafal, Madrid, Official residence and historical building in Salamanca district, Madrid, Spain.
The Antiguo Palacete del Marqués de Rafal is a three-story mansion in Madrid that combines classical and baroque revival architectural elements with a basement level. The main facade faces Padilla Street while gardens surround the other sides of the property.
The mansion was built in 1914 by architect Luis Sáinz de los Terreros for Alfonso de Pardo y Manuel de Villena, the 14th Marquis of Rafal. In 1922, it became the official residence of the Belgian ambassador to Spain.
The building displays early 20th-century Madrid architecture with a carriage entrance protected by a portico and gardens enclosed by railings. These elements reflect how wealthy Madrid residents lived and designed their homes during that era.
The building is located at the intersection of Castelló and Padilla Streets in the Salamanca district and is easy to reach on foot. Visitors can view the exterior facade and entrance areas from the street, as part of the property faces the street openly.
The property follows typical palace designs that were popular in Madrid's expansion areas during the early 20th century. This construction style reflects the architectural trends that wealthy households preferred in the growing city at that time.
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